A risk assessment involves identifying hazards that a worker might be exposed to. The risk assessment is about risk mitigation.

Implementing risk control involves application of the safety controls from the hierarchy of safety controls in accordance with the process required in Article 110.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is a structured process aimed at ensuring worker safety by identifying and managing risks associated with electrical hazards. This process can be broken down into several key steps:

1. Identification of Hazards: This is the initial step where you determine the potential electrical dangers in the workplace. These could include live wires, potential for arc flash, and risks associated with working on or near electrical panels.
2. Risk Evaluation: Once hazards are identified, the next step is to evaluate the risk associated with each hazard. This involves analyzing the likelihood of the hazard causing harm and the potential severity of that harm.
3. Risk Mitigation: The final step in the risk assessment process is determining how to reduce the likelihood and severity of harm. This involves selecting appropriate risk control measures from the hierarchy of controls, which are aimed at mitigating risks to an acceptable level.

Implementing Risk Control

Following the risk assessment, implementing risk control is crucial. According to Article 110 of NFPA 70E, this involves applying safety controls based on a predefined hierarchy. The hierarchy of controls typically includes:

1. Elimination: Removing the hazard entirely is the most effective way to control risks. For example, de-energizing electrical equipment during maintenance eliminates the risk of electrical shock.
2. Substitution: Replacing something that produces a hazard with something that does not. For instance, replacing high-voltage equipment with lower-voltage alternatives reduces the risk of severe electrical shocks.
3. Engineering Controls: These are controls that isolate people from hazards without relying on worker behavior, such as guarding or insulation.
4. Administrative Controls: These include safe work practices like job planning, worker training, regular maintenance schedules, and clear work procedures.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As the last line of defense, PPE should be used when hazards cannot be adequately controlled by other means. This includes gloves, face shields, flame-resistant clothing, etc.

The following definitions can be found in Article 100 of NFPA 70E:

Below is a sample of NFPA 70E. For the complete section, see the actual NFPA 70E text at NFPA.ORG. Once there, click on the free access link to NFPA 70E.

Risk. A combination of the likelihood of occurrence of injury or damage to health and the severity of injury or damage to health that results from a hazard.

Risk Assessment. An overall process that identifies hazards, estimates the likelihood of occurrence of injury or damage to health, estimates the potential severity of injury or damage to health, and determines if protective measures are required.

Informational Note: As used in this standard, arc flash risk assessment and electric shock risk assessment are types of risk assessments.